Groundwater from coastal aquifers is a better source for desalination than seawater
Wednesday, March 2, 2016 - 14:10
in Earth & Climate
Saline groundwater results from seawater intrusion into coastal aquifers, shifting the fresh-saline water interface upward and landward, and replaces fresh groundwater with saline groundwater. The RO process in coastal aquifers will be helpful in restraining seawater intrusion. Other saline groundwater benefits include consistent annual water temperatures, and lower levels of dissolved oxygen, silt density and phytoplankton. The RO desalination process of seawater requires significant energy and large plant area by valuable shorefront property, both of which increase the product water cost.